Drug arrest sends Islander to jail
For the past year, the Shelter Island Town Police Department in conjunction with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s East End Drug Task Force, has been conducting an investigation into the sale of Ecstasy (MDMA) and other illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and heroin to residents of this community.
As a result of that investigation, Matthew J. Stromberg, 30, of Shelter Island was arrested on Wednesday, March 10 at about 11:30 a.m. and charged with the criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree (an A2 felony), and criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree (a B felony). No bail was set and Mr. Stomberg was remanded to Suffolk County Jail. According to the Shelter Island Police Department, Criminal Procedure Law does not give a local criminal court the option to set bail for any A class felonies.
On March 15, Mr. Stromberg was indicted by a grand jury on the two Shelter Island charges in addition to numerous other counts from off-Island jurisdictions.
According to police, the controlled substance in Mr. Stromberg’s case was MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy. The drug purchases were made on Shelter Island.
The investigation is on-going and the SIPD will continue to cooperate with other enforcement agencies, community groups and parents. Police Chief James Read urged residents with any information to call the department directly at 749-0600 or use the confidential TIPS telephone number: 1-877-SIP-TIPS.
SUMMONSES
Roel Adeli Miguel Gregorio, 31, of Greenport was ticketed on St. Mary’s Road on March 9 for driving without a license.
On March 12, Cody Ray Ringo, 27, of Shelter Island was given a summons on North Ferry Road for driving and using a cell phone without a hands-free device.
Dan Devie, 46, of Miller Place was also ticketed on North Ferry Road for a cell phone violation on March 12.
Susan M. Williams, 53, of Shelter Island was given a summons on March 12 for speeding on South Ferry Road — 56 mph in a 40-mph zone.
Jack Hoffmann, 60, of Sag Harbor was ticketed on March 12 on South Ferry Road for a cell phone violation.
OTHER REPORTS
A small dog was reported at large in Hay Beach on March 9. Police canvassed the area, but the dog was subsequently found by its owner.
On March 9, a caller reported an animal on a South Ferry Hills roadway; police found a dead opossum and had it removed.
A caller told police on March 10 that while he was running on a Ram Island causeway, a vehicle passed him at a high rate of speed and almost hit him. The sun could have been a factor in causing driver blindness, the caller said. Radar enforcement was subsequently put in effect but no violations were noted.
A caller reported a possible break-in on March 11. Police found individuals trying to enter the Food Pantry. They were told about the pantry’s hours of operation. There was no sign of any criminal act.
Police received an anonymous report on March 11 of a person dumping leaves in a wetlands area near Fresh Pond. Police issued a verbal warning about the DEC law on illegal dumping.
On March 13, graffiti was reported on some equipment in Menantic.
Police received about 20 reports related to the high winds and rain on Saturday, March 13, and early Sunday morning.
Trees and limbs were reported down on roadways in Shorewood, the Center, Silver Beach, the Heights, Hay Beach, West Neck and Menantic. Limbs fell on a car in Silver Beach. A tree fell on a house in the Center, causing extensive damage to the roof as well as water damage. The Shelter Island Fire Department responded. A downed tree fell on a Silver Beach residence, shattering a window. The structure appeared to be intact, according to the police report.
At least three LIPA poles were downed; LIPA was on Island and notified. In one case, a LIPA worker was stuck in an aerial bucket due to a mechanical problem and a second truck was sent to the Island to assist.
A burglary alarm was activated on March 13 at a Hay Beach home, apparently caused when the high winds blew open a door.
A caller told police on March 14 that truck-loads of wood chips were being dumped on town property in the Center. The person responsible was advised to desist.
Police responded to a property dispute in the Center on March 14; the Building Department was notified.
A case of criminal mischief was reported in the Heights on March 15 — an unknown person had hung a dead raccoon from the rafters of the porch in front of the Chequit Inn’s business office. There were no witnesses. An extra patrol was requested.
On March 16, police responded to a domestic dispute in the Center.
AIDED CASES
Shelter Island Red Cross ambulance teams transported four aided cases to Eastern Long Island Hospital on March 10, 14 and 16. A fifth case was transported by Suffolk County Police helicopter to Peconic Bay Medical Center on March 13; the heavy winds and rain made it impossible to medevac the person to Stony Brook University Hospital.
